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JAN/FEB 2019
Come Out & Play On XC Skis
XC Ski Club & Community
The key ingredients to make your first few days and winters on-
snow as enjoyable as possible.
1.) Start out by going to a groomed XC ski area.
For beginners, trying to learn on ungroomed surfaces magnifies the difficulty
of every movement. By comparison, groomed XC ski areas use machinery
and sport-specific drags to flatten and sculpt snow to be as perfect as pos-
sible on a given day for either classic or freestyle techniques. You learn faster
and with far less struggle. You have more fun. Life is good.
2.) Start by renting the right XC ski equipment.
Beginner XC skiers require a very particular type of equipment to have the
greatest success on your first few XC ski outings.
After a few days or weeks renting this beginner gear on groomed trails, you
can then graduate to the many different types of XC ski designed for all man-
ner of groomed and ungroomed scenarios our sport offers.
3.) Start with a professional lesson.
Friends and family that have XC skied in the past are wonderful tip-givers. But
when it comes to actually learning how to do the basic skills needed to XC ski,
you want to spend an hour or two with a professional instructor.
A good instructor will guide you through the basic skills quickly and with the
past experience of teaching hundreds of other beginners. If you follow our
first two tips, you’ll be learning in the perfect location…with the right gear…
and with someone trained to help you.
get back to
what you love
start here
Decades of XC in Oregon
Founded in 1998, the non-profit 501(c)(3) XC Oregon started as one of only two
elite development club programs for adult XC skiers in all of North America.
Over the years, XC Oregon athletes posted an unmatched record of ac-
complishments including Winter Olympic berths, individual & team National
Championships, Worldloppet ski marathon victories, and dozens of Pole Pedal
Paddle titles.
Now An Internationally Recognized Masters Club
For over two decades, XC Oregon has broadened the audience we serve to
include what is now globally recognized as one of the world’s premier Nordic
masters clubs. In addition to hundreds of skiers that have enjoyed our public
ski education events, dozens of National and World medals have been col-
lected by XC Oregon masters — with more to come!
A Vital Part of Oregon’s XC Ski Community
At the heart of XC Oregon’s mission is promoting health, fitness, and the sport
of cross-country skiing through such annual local events as the Meissner
Learn-To-Ski day, the Tour for the Heart, and the XC Oregon High School Invi-
tational.
Friends of XC Oregon
Our popular patron system gives donors access to our year-round team
menu of activities, workouts, and trips -- plus a fantastic way to make a tax-
deductible, charitable donation in support our many efforts on behalf of
XC skiing in Oregon.
Develop Your XC Skiing With Us!
The Oregon Fall and Spring Camps — open to the public — are designed
specifically for adult skiers ranging in ability from high beginner to expert
levels with incredibly flexible schedules at both the start and finish of each
ski season. Utilizing the consistent snow of Mt Bachelor Nordic Center as a
home base, our Camps help adults already out skiing get those few tips they
need to transform their XC ski technique all in a fun, time-efficient, and inclu-
sive atmosphere. Come experience what folks have been talking about since
2001 with one of our upcoming world-renown Camp events.
Oregon Spring Camp — tentatively April 4-7, 2019
Oregon Fall Camp — tentatively December 5-14, 2019
Find complete information and registration for all XC Oregon ski education
events on xcoregon.org
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Make an appointment today.
4.) Start with the right technique for you.
Modern XC skiing includes both classic and skating techniques. Classic is the
centuries-old traditional motion with parallel skis sliding forward in an opposite
leg, opposite arm movement pattern. XC ski skating is a cousin of ice and in-
line skating with the poles added.
For a never-ever beginner, classic is more of a sure-fire success in the first
couple days on-snow. Learning classic skills also gives you the ability to ex-
plore ungroomed locations right away. Skating can take a full winter (or two) of
practice and will generally require a higher fitness level to start.
Note: A background in alpine skiing, ice or in-line skating can help in learning to
skate ski.
Best local resources for beginners:
Mt. Bachelor Nordic Center offers the trifecta of groomed trails, on-site rental
gear specific for the needs of beginners, and a merry band of instructors offer-
ing daily lessons nearly every day from Thanksgiving until late spring…
www.mtbachelor.com
HooDoo Nordic Trails also offers all the groomed trails, on-site rental gear, and
lessons you need. The schedule is a bit more selective so do your research
ahead of time…
www.skihoodoo.com
Meisner Nordic trails is a community project offering a
great spot to practice your beginner skills on groomed
trails…www.meissnernordic.org
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